$100 Fine and Towing Proposed in Maryland “Anti-ICEing” Bill

Maryland State Delegate Clarence Lam has introduced a bill to prohibit parking at a designated EV charging station unless the vehicle is plugged in. The bill, HB-839 [PDF link] concerning Reserved Parking Spaces for Plug–In Electric Vehicles, is the fourth attempt at “anti-ICEing” legislation in the Maryland General Assembly.

Here are highlights of the bill.

Cars Must be Plugged InUPDATE: The requirement to be connected is subject to be removed.

Unless the vehicle is a plug–in electric drive vehicle that is connected to charging equipment for charging purposes, a person may not stop, stand, or park the vehicle in a designated plug–in electric drive vehicle charging space.

Sign and Green Pavement Markings Specified

A sign designating a plug–in electric drive vehicle charging space shall:
(1) Be at least 18 inches high and 12 inches wide;
(2) Be clearly visible to the driver of a motor vehicle
entering the plug–in electric drive vehicle charging space; and
(3) State that a motor vehicle parked in violation of this section may be ticketed, towed, or removed at the owner’s expense.
(d) A plug–in electric drive vehicle charging space shall be indicated by green pavement markings.

Towing Provision Included

(1) A privately owned parking facility may have a vehicle that is stopped, standing, or parked in violation of this section towed or removed in accordance with subtitle 10a of this title.
(2) A parking facility owned by a local jurisdiction may have a vehicle that is stopped, standing, or parked in violation of this section ticketed, towed, or removed if authorized by local law.

$100 Fine for ICEing

A person who violates § 21–1003.2 of this article (“unauthorized parking in a plug–in electric drive vehicle charging space”) is subject to a civil penalty of $100.

Hearing Date is March 3, 2016

Stay tuned to @PlugInSites, for details of when the hearing will be held.